EKG INTERPRETATION (HCA)
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ EKG.
Answer: An EKG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of the
heart, including the rate, rhythm, and conduction of impulses through the
atria and ventricles.
◍ Sinoatrial (SA) node.
Answer: The natural pacemaker of the heart.
◍ Normal heart rate range for a sinus rhythm.
Answer: 60-100 beats per minute (bpm).
◍ Steps of EKG interpretation - Rate.
Answer: Count the number of QRS complexes in a 6-second strip and
multiply by 10.
◍ Normal rate.
Answer: 60-100 bpm (sinus rhythm).
◍ Steps of EKG interpretation - Rhythm.
Answer: Measure the intervals between R-R waves (ventricular rhythm) and
P-P waves (atrial rhythm).
◍ P Waves.
Answer: Are P waves present and consistent? One P wave before each
QRS? Shape and size uniform?
◍ PR Interval.
, Answer: Measure from the start of the P wave to the start of the QRS.
Normal: 0.12-0.20 seconds.
◍ QRS Complex.
Answer: Measure the duration of the QRS complex. Normal: 0.06-0.10
seconds.
◍ Interpretation.
Answer: Based on your findings, identify the rhythm (e.g., normal sinus
rhythm, sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, etc.).
◍ P wave.
Answer: Atrial depolarization (atrial contraction).
◍ T wave.
Answer: Ventricular repolarization (ventricles relaxing).
◍ ST segment.
Answer: Early phase of ventricular repolarization; should be isoelectric
(flat).
◍ Atrial depolarization on the EKG.
Answer: Corresponds to the P wave.
◍ Ventricular repolarization on the EKG.
Answer: Corresponds to the T wave.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - RA.
Answer: Right arm, just below clavicle.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - LA.
Answer: Left arm, just below clavicle.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - RL.
Answer: Right lower abdomen.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - LL.
Answer: Left lower abdomen.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - V.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ EKG.
Answer: An EKG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical activity of the
heart, including the rate, rhythm, and conduction of impulses through the
atria and ventricles.
◍ Sinoatrial (SA) node.
Answer: The natural pacemaker of the heart.
◍ Normal heart rate range for a sinus rhythm.
Answer: 60-100 beats per minute (bpm).
◍ Steps of EKG interpretation - Rate.
Answer: Count the number of QRS complexes in a 6-second strip and
multiply by 10.
◍ Normal rate.
Answer: 60-100 bpm (sinus rhythm).
◍ Steps of EKG interpretation - Rhythm.
Answer: Measure the intervals between R-R waves (ventricular rhythm) and
P-P waves (atrial rhythm).
◍ P Waves.
Answer: Are P waves present and consistent? One P wave before each
QRS? Shape and size uniform?
◍ PR Interval.
, Answer: Measure from the start of the P wave to the start of the QRS.
Normal: 0.12-0.20 seconds.
◍ QRS Complex.
Answer: Measure the duration of the QRS complex. Normal: 0.06-0.10
seconds.
◍ Interpretation.
Answer: Based on your findings, identify the rhythm (e.g., normal sinus
rhythm, sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, etc.).
◍ P wave.
Answer: Atrial depolarization (atrial contraction).
◍ T wave.
Answer: Ventricular repolarization (ventricles relaxing).
◍ ST segment.
Answer: Early phase of ventricular repolarization; should be isoelectric
(flat).
◍ Atrial depolarization on the EKG.
Answer: Corresponds to the P wave.
◍ Ventricular repolarization on the EKG.
Answer: Corresponds to the T wave.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - RA.
Answer: Right arm, just below clavicle.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - LA.
Answer: Left arm, just below clavicle.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - RL.
Answer: Right lower abdomen.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - LL.
Answer: Left lower abdomen.
◍ 5-lead EKG placement - V.
